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Magnesium Essential For Fighting Cancer; Signs Of Deficiency To Know

Did you know a lack of magnesium in your system can trigger the onset of debilitating diseases like cancer? Here are the signs of magnesium deficiency you need to know about.

Written by Arushi Bidhuri | Updated : January 25, 2022 11:17 AM IST

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Magnesium Is Essential

Magnesium is the fourth most prevalent mineral in the human body. It is vital to the body and the wellness of the brain in various ways. The mineral is present in bone for about 60% of your body's magnesium, while the rest is found in muscles, soft tissues, and fluids, including blood. In fact, it is found in every cell of your body and is required for its proper functioning. One of magnesium's most important functions is as a cofactor or helper molecule in the metabolic activities that enzymes undertake on a regular basis.

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Magnesium Deficiency May Trigger Various Diseases

Magnesium deficiency, commonly known as hypomagnesemia, is a common health issue that goes unnoticed. Magnesium insufficiency has a variety of reasons. They range from insufficient nutritional intake to magnesium deficiency in the body. Studies have shown that magnesium deficiency can lead to diseases, such as infections and cancer.  Also Read - Emotional eating vs real hunger: How to tell the difference

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Magnesium Important For Cancer Patients

A study published in the Journal Cell found that T cells need sufficient magnesium to function properly. The discovery that magnesium is required for T cell function could have major implications for present cancer immunotherapies. These treatments use cytotoxic T cells from the immune system to kill cancer cells. The researchers were able to demonstrate that an increase in the local magnesium concentration in tumours improved the immune response of T cells against cancer cells in experimental models.

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Signs Of Magnesium Deficiency To Know

Magnesium deficiency not only increases the risk for cancer patients, but it can also lead to other health problems, including diabetes, chronic diarrhoea, celiac disease, etc. Signs and symptoms of magnesium deficiency that you should know about. Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness are some prominent signs of magnesium deficiency. When the deficiency progress, an individual may experience hypocalcaemia, numbness, muscle twitches, cramps, seizures, abnormal heart rhythm, coronary spasms, and personality changes.